WHAT IS WORLD CLASS?
This year 2025 we are celebrating 16 years of celebrating cocktail culture with WORLD CLASS. Our goal is to immerse the world in upscale drinking and cocktail culture and to consciously engage with the topic of Fine Drinking.
In addition to educating on current trends, cocktail creations and drink recipes, WORLD CLASS also provides essential news from the bar scene and takes part in shaping future drinks experiences. Since starting in 2009, we are proud to have trained or engaged with over 400,000 bartenders globally.
Every year, the world’s largest and most prestigious bartending competition brings together the most talented bartenders from around the world to crown the "WORLD CLASS Global Bartender of the Year“, driven by our industry’s extraordinary creativity and unparalleled sense of community. Hailing from over 50 countries, the best bartenders are selected in advance to the travel to the WORLD CLASS Global Final to compete for the title, connect globally and share an unforgettable experience.
This year marks a transformative moment, showcasing an exciting innovation in the competition’s journey! This year, for the first time, the Northern European markets (Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland) come together under the unified banner of the Northern Europe WORLD CLASS.
What’s changing with the unified Northern Europe WORLD CLASS Competition?
The unified Northern Europe WORLD CLASS Competition brings together the ten markets under a shared framework, with largely standardized challenges across countries. Each country will host the competition up to the semi-final stage locally, culminating in June when the top bartenders from each market meet in Berlin, Germany, for the Northern Europe Final. This collaboration aims to foster international exchange among Northern European bartenders, encouraging them to learn from and inspire one another while transforming WORLD CLASS into a vibrant, multicultural platform for connection and growth.
What characterises a WORLD CLASS bartender?
A WORLD CLASS bartender is characterised by creative, in-depth knowledge of our WORLD CLASS brands and Fine Drinking, exceptional preparation techniques, hospitality, professionalism, and a commitment to continuous learning.
What defines a WORLD CLASS drink?
A WORLD CLASS drink is distinguished by innovative ingredients, creative presentation, meticulous balance, exceptional preparation techniques, inspiring stories and consistent quality. Such a cocktail embodies the best terms of creativity, quality and artisan craft.
NORTHERN EUROPE FINAL 2025
For the very first time, 10 Northern European countries will come together this year for a joint Northern Europe Final of WORLD CLASS in Berlin, Germany. The top three bartenders from each participating country have already been selected in national semi-finals. In the next step, we’ll be looking for the Bartender of the Year 2025 from Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland – in an exciting, high-energy joint final. And we want YOU to be a part of it!
We’re opening the doors of our final event to all guests and making all challenges freely accessible with prior registration. You can also look forward to exciting side events such as guest shifts by our top judges, exclusive tastings, and fascinating insights into the world of Don Julio with Tequila Ambassador Europe Angela Maridaki, and Ron Zacapa with Zacapa Master Blender Lorena Vásquez – as well as WORLD CLASS cocktail creations in top venues across the city.
Let’s come together and #makeitworldclass!
To be part of the very first WORLD CLASS Northern Europe Final on June 16–17, 2025, in Berlin and experience the finals of all 10 participating countries up close, please make sure to register in advance for the respective parts of the event by June 10.
Join us for the the WORLD CLASS Northern Europe Final - with great drinks, food and good vibes.
Dress code: Casual Chic.
Want to get to know our participants and judges? Follow us on Instagram and stay up to date with everything around the Northern Europe Final!
DAY 1 - MONDAY, JUNE 16
Tanqueray No. TEN Challenge - Industry Legends
Location: Fotografiska | Oranienburger Str. 54, 10117 Berlin
Starting: 10AM
The Singleton - Scent the Moment
Location: Fotografiska | Oranienburger Str. 54, 10117 Berlin
Starting: 2PM
Sign up HERE to be part of the Day 1 challenges on Monday, June 16
Ron Zacapa - Brand Experience with Masterclass and Tasting
Location: Fotografiska / Restaurant Veronika (via main entrance) | Oranienburger Str. 54, 10117 Berlin
Starting: 1PM - 40 minutes per group
“Zacapa is the liquid expression of art.”
That’s how Lorena Vásquez, Zacapa’s Master Blender for over 35 years, describes the rum — aged 7,545 feet above sea level and known for its deep aroma and rich flavor.
We’re proud to welcome Lorena to this year’s Northern Europe Final in Berlin, joined by Vanessa Leon, Zacapa’s Global Brand Ambassador and a leading voice in the world of fine spirits.
Don’t miss the chance to explore the world “above the clouds” in one of their exclusive masterclasses.
Sign up HERE for one of their session slots. Please be aware that spaces are limited, and only one session can be attended per person.
Don Julio - Brand Experience with Masterclass and Tasting
Location: Fotografiska / Bar Clara (via entrance Bar Clara) | Oranienburger Str. 54, 10117 Berlin
Starting: 1PM - 40 minutes per group
Founded in 1942 by Don Julio González, the brand has always stood for quality over quantity.
This legacy continues today with hand-selected blue agave from Los Altos, crafted into the premium Don Julio Tequila you know and love.
Now’s your chance to experience this passion firsthand with Angela Maridaki, Tequila Ambassador Europe at Diageo and a true expert in agave spirits.
Sign up HERE for one of her exclusive masterclasses. Please be aware that spaces are limited, and only one session can be attended per person
DAY 2 - TUESDAY, JUNE 17
Don Julio - Hyper Local
Location: Fotografiska | Oranienburger Str. 54, 10117 Berlin
Starting: 12AM
Sign up HERE to be part of the Day 2 challenge on Tuesday, June 17
Winner Announcement and Afterparty
Location: Fotografiska | Oranienburger Str. 54, 10117 Berlin
Starting: 7PM
Be there when we crown the Bartenders of the Year!
After months of creativity and dedication, the best bartenders from across Northern Europe take the stage. Celebrate their talent and witness the crowning of each country’s Bartender of the Year — a moment full of heart and pride.
And then: the After-Party! Raise a glass to the winners with exceptional drinks, a live DJ, and delicious snacks — the perfect way to end an unforgettable day.
Let’s toast to the future of bartending — together.
Sign up HERE to be part of the Winner Announcement and After Party on Tuesday, June 17.
#makeitworldclass #worldclass2025
EXCLUSIVE WORLD CLASS GUESTSHIFTS
Guestshift - Millie Tang at KINK Bar
Location: KINK Bar & Restaurant | Schönhauser Allee 176, 10119 Berlin
Starting: 9PM
Guestshift - Ago Perrone at The Gibson
Location: The Gibson Bar Berlin | Stresemannstraße 95, 10963 Berlin
Starting: 8PM
Guestshift - Jesse Vida at Wax On
Location: Wax On Berlin | Weserstraße 208, 12047 Berlin
Starting: 10PM
Follow us on Instagram
Don't miss any updates or inspiration and be part of our community!
Contacts
Here are the key contact details for your local Brand Ambassador in Northern Europe, whom you can reach out to for any questions regarding the competition.
AUSTRIA
NETHERLANDS
LUXEMBOURG
GERMANY
Sembo Amirpour
Luxury Brand Curator Germany
sembo.amirpour@diageo.com
Thomas Ebs
Luxury Brand Curator Germany
thomas.ebs@diageo.com
Martin Thibault
Luxury Brand Curator Germany
martin.thibault@diageo.com
DENMARK, FINLAND, NORWAY
SWEDEN
POLAND
SWITZERLAND
Vera Zimmermann
Luxury Brand Ambassador CH
vera.zimmermann@diageo.com
Justine Nudelmann
Luxury Brand Ambassador CH
justine.nudelmann@diageo.com